Colts Checking Out QB Prospects

Ed Thompson

02/24/2006

Penn State's Michael Robinson is one of a few quarterbacks who have talked to the Colts at the Combine so far this week. Find out who the others are, and what other position the Colts talked to Robinson about in this exclusive report.

With the release of Travis Brown this week and former practice squad
quarterback Tom Arth seeking a better opportunity to compete for a roster
position, the Colts are heading into the Combine with just two quarterbacks on
the roster -- starter Peyton Manning and his backup, Jim Sorgi. The backup out
of Wisconsin, Sorgi is entering the final year of his original contract. So the
time could be right to bring in a new quarterback who could challenge him for
that number two spot. And based on the comments of some of the quarterbacks I
talked to on Friday, it appears the Colts are seriously considering that option.

D.J. Shockey, the quarterback out of the University of Georgia mentioned that
he met with the Colts on Thursday night along with some other teams. But perhaps
more surprising was when Alabama quarterback Brady Coyle told me that he also
met with Indianapolis that same evening. Coyle is in high demand so far at the
Combine. The Chiefs, Jets, Bills, and Broncos also met with him Thursday to
evaluate him. And he was scheduled to meet with the Dolphins on Friday night.

Coyle said he was "a little bit" surprised that the Colts wanted to
meet with him. And in regards to Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, Coyle said,
"He's just kind of hitting his prime. He's been at it for a while."

And then he added, "But they've got to have depth ... we'll see."

Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson talked to the media about how his
athletic ability is both a "blessing and a curse" from the standpoint
of being a player who could play so many positions at the NFL level. He said his
biggest challenge coming into the Combine is to prove to NFL teams that he can
play quarterback at this level. But the 6'1, 226-lb Robinson told the media that
he's been approached by teams in regards to being a quarterback, running back,
wide receiver, returns specialist and even a safety.

He provided the most interesting moment of the day when he told me that he
spoke to the running backs coach of the Colts and also talked to team officials
about playing quarterback. Robinson is an interesting prospect for Indianapolis
when you consider that he could be a running back who could serve as a backup
quarterback, and fills team needs as a returns player -- all with one draft
pick. With Troy Walters becoming an unrestricted free agent, and the future of
running back/kickoff returns specialist Dominic Rhodes in doubt due to his
upcoming roster bonus deadline, Robinson could be an intriguing choice for the
Colts.